Q. and A. With Bill Cowher

Bill Cowher won't rule out a return to coaching, but for now, he loves his job as a television analyst.CreditPaul Sancya/Associated Press

By Joe Brescia

Sept. 11, 2014

There were seven head coaching hires in the N.F.L. for the 2014 season. Bill Cowher was not among them. But he is fine to continue as a studio analyst for CBS Sports on “The N.F.L. Today.”

“There are parts of coaching that I miss,” he said.

In his 15 seasons as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he guided the team to 8 division titles and 10 playoff appearances, including two Super Bowls and a championship.

“You can never say never,” Cowher said of coaching again. “But I love the job I have now.”

Cowher, 57, will be one of the sports figures honored at the 29th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria on Sept. 29. The event benefits the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. (Interview has been edited and condensed.)

Q.Who do you like to reach the Super Bowl?

A. In the A.F.C., I like New England and what they’ve done this off-season, with Darrelle Revis coming back, and Brandon LaFell, the receiver. Combine that with their quarterback, getting Vince Wilfork back, Jerod Mayo back. Their defense is going to have some guys they were missing last year and it’s going to be very strong.

In the N.F.C., I like Seattle again. People say how hard it is to go back to the Super Bowl, but they have pretty much the same team. They have Percy Harvin back healthy. I also think the division that they’re in has taken a little bit of a hit with injuries. Sam Bradford, the St. Louis quarterback, went down and the defense of San Francisco has injuries.

Q.Do you have a surprise team that can go deep in the playoffs?

A. The Steelers. They finished last year 6-2. I like what they did in the off-season. Their running back situation is strong with LeGarrette Blount. They got speed with Dri Archer. I like the linebacker Ryan Shazier. They have speed on defense. Ben Roethlisberger is primed to have a good year. Their offensive line played very well the second half of last season and they’ve been together for three years.

Q.What team do you think will take a step back?

A. I look at the injuries that San Francisco has on defense, particularly NaVorro Bowman being out. They’re losing Aldon Smith. They could potentially take a step back in a tough division.

Q.What rookie will make the most impact?

A. Brandin Cooks with New Orleans. You put him in a slot opposite Jimmy Graham, the best tight end in football. I think that kid is dynamic. He’s a special player. I think he’ll have a tremendous impact. The Saints already have a really good offense. And with that quarterback I think he’ll be offensive rookie of the year.

Q.With the referees throwing frequent flags in preseason trying to educate defenders about illegal contact, are you worried that the game will slow down?

A. I don’t think the amount of calls will be the same in the regular season as they were in the preseason. People acclimate. By the first month of the season players will figure out what they will and won’t call.

A. It’s an offensive league. All the rules cater to the offense. The bump-and-run has become more prevalent because of Seattle. People will have to play a little bit more off coverage. No question, it will be harder on the defenses.

We all understand football is entertainment. And people like high-scoring games. But you still have to play defense to win championships. I think Seattle proved that last year.

Q.What new coach will have the best season?

A. I like the Titans’ Ken Whisenhunt. He’s in a good division. He is a good guy to develop quarterbacks. I think Jake Locker was 3-1 before he got hurt last year. If he gets him playing well, Tennessee can be very consistent and challenge Indianapolis in the A.F.C. South.

Q.Chip Kelly, the former Oregon coach, proved up-tempo college coaches can succeed in the N.F.L. With his success last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, will teams copy his offensive system?

A. The no-huddle has been around for a while. It’s a little bit different, but Peyton Manning runs it. The biggest thing is, can you sustain it over the course of 17 weeks playing 15 games? You need depth at the running back position. That’s why Chip went out and got Darren Sproles. You still have to be able to throw the ball and play good defense to win a championship. It takes a balanced team. A lot of his thoughts and ideas were about preparation, and people have copied a lot of that.